Community Groups & Socials

• Friends of Mauldeth Road Station: A group dedicated to maintaining and improving the station environment, including a “pocket park” with local artwork. Contact Pat at: friendsofmauldethroadstation@outlook.com.

• St Paul’s – Withington Welcomes: A social group with free tea, coffee, and conversation. Supported by the Farsi-speaking community. Tuesdays, 10am–12pm at St Paul’s, 491 Wilmslow Road.

• Sing For Your Health: A free singing group for all adults to improve breathing and enjoy social time. Tuesdays, 10:30am–12:30pm at Fallowfield Library (The Place).

• Table MCR: Socials and events (brunch, workouts) for people aged 18 to 30. Visit www.meetup.com/tablemcr.

• Knit and Natter: A free group with refreshments. Fridays, 10:30am–12pm at Withington Methodist Church.

• Open Tuesday: Discussions and films (every other week) with tea and biscuits. Tuesdays, 7:30pm at Union Chapel, Wellington Road.

• Mandem Meetup: Free talking circles for men to discuss mental health and wellbeing. 2nd and 4th Monday of each month, 7pm at Withington Baths.

Outdoor & Active

• Walking and Talking Group: A free weekly walk for anyone. Wednesdays, 10:30am–11:30am, meeting at Ladybarn Park (Parrswood Road near Briarfield Road).

• Outdoor Yoga (Manchester Urban Diggers): Pay-as-you-can (£3–£10) yoga at Platt Fields Market Garden. Fridays, 9am–9:45am.

• Gardening Club (Manchester Urban Diggers): Relaxed social gardening sessions. Fridays and Saturdays, 10am–4pm at Platt Fields Market Garden.

• Withington Walks: Informal monthly walks on Sundays to reduce isolation. Email thebathhousecafe@withingtonbaths.com.

• Easy Walking Club: A walk around Kingswood Park followed by free tea and toast. Tuesdays, 11am at Ladybarn Community Hub.

Work & Skills

• Digital Skills for Adults: Free courses including Microsoft for Work and Digital Essentials. Contact Withington Adult Education Centre at 0161 234 5687.

• Withington Works: Improvements to co-working space at Withington Public Hall Institute. Features Wi-Fi and unlimited hot drinks. Half-day passes £5, full days £10.

Ladybarn Community Hub Activities

• Study Mondays: Space for students/home workers with free Wi-Fi; £1 donation for unlimited drinks.

• Over 50s Music Group: Uplifting singing followed by tea and cake. Mondays, 2:30pm–4pm.

• Tai Chi: Gentle stretching for all abilities. Mondays, 1pm–2pm, £5 per session (first session free).

• Crafternoon: Knitting, crochet, and embroidery. Mondays, 2pm–3pm, £1 donation.

• LGBTQ+ Coffee Morning: Tuesdays, 10:30am–12pm, £2 donation.

• Move It or Lose It: Exercise to improve balance. Wednesdays, 10am–11am, £3 per session (first session free).

• Film Club: Wednesdays, 2pm–4pm, £3.50 donation.

• Over 50s Lunch Club: Two-course meal (veggie/halal available) with bingo. Thursdays, 12pm–2:30pm, £5 for lunch.

Youth Clubs & Groups

• Merosworld Youth Hub: Safe environment with food and snacks provided. Tuesdays 5:30pm–7:30pm and Wednesdays 4pm–5:30pm.

• OMYOP Youth Group: Junior Youth (ages 9–12) and Senior Youth (ages 13–19). Thursdays at Withington Methodist Church.

• Old Moat Youth Group: For girls and young women (ages 12–16). Tuesdays, 4pm–6pm at The Ice Shack.

• Youth Boxing: Free sessions at Withington Baths. Mondays, 4pm (Seniors) and Wednesdays, 4:15pm (Juniors).

• Disability Youth Clubs (4CT): Konnect Club (Friday 6pm) and Fizz Club (Saturday 10am). Call 0161 230 1420.

Early Years & Parents

• Sure Start Children’s Centres: Activities like “Bumps to Babies,” sensory sessions, and advice on housing/debt. Locations in Old Moat (0161 234 4711) and Fallowfield (0161 219 6799).

• Monday Monkeys: Play equipment for toddlers. Mondays, 10am–11:30am (term-time) at Withington Methodist Church.

• Stay and Play Sessions: Old Moat Primary School (Thursdays, 9am–10:30am) and St Paul’s Withington (Wednesdays, 10am–12pm).

• Mums Matter: Eight-week online course for mums with children under two experiencing mental health challenges. Contact 07592 376720.

• Manchester Local Offer: Support for children and young people with SEND up to age 25. Visit http://bit.ly/4jszvkk.

Mental Health & Support Services

• Be Well Service: Free social prescribing for Manchester residents. Call 0161 470 7120. (Includes Men’s Health Drop-in at Withington Library, 10am–2pm on April 24 and May 29).

• NHS Talking Therapies: Free support for sleeping difficulties, low mood, or anxiety. Call 0161 226 3871.

• We Are Survivors: Support for male survivors of sexual abuse and rape. Call 0161 236 2182.

• Emerging Futures: Support for addiction recovery and coaching for long-term behavior change.

Condition-Specific Support

• Expert Patient Programme (EPP): Helps those with long-term conditions. Starts April 21, 2026, at Ladybarn Community Hub.

• Heart Help Support Group: Exercise classes for cardio or vascular problems. Weekly charge of £5. Call 0161 536 3188.

• Maggie’s Cancer Support: Free care, stress management, and Muslim support groups. Located on Kinnaird Road.

• CAN Survive UK: Culturally sensitive cancer support groups. Call 0161 455 0211.

• Head Forward Centre: Social integration for those with traumatic brain injuries. Call 0161 434 2150.

Screening & Check-ups

• Bowel Screening: Kits for ages 50–74. Helpline: 0800 707 60 60.

• AAA Screening: For men aged 64+ to detect abdominal aortic aneurysms. Call 0161 291 5716.

• Annual Health Checks: For everyone over age 14 with a learning disability. Contact your GP.

• NHS Enhanced Access: Pre-booked evening and Saturday appointments. Speak to your GP reception.

Physical Activity

• Junior PARS (More Life Manchester): Free 10-week program for ages 5–17 regarding healthy weight and activity.

• Adult PARS (Manchester Active): Referrals for those whose health prevents them from being active. Call 0161 974 7839.

• Ladybarn Community Hub: Offers various roles for different hub activities. Visit www.ladybarnhub.co.uk/volunteer.

• Greater Manchester Rape Crisis: Seeking women aged 21+ for helpline shifts (one per month). Training is provided. Call 0161 273 4591.

• Ladybarn Litterpickers: Monthly community cleaning. Meets the last Saturday of every month, 11am at Ladybarn Hub.

• Withington Civic Society: Volunteers needed for the committee (Secretary/Archivist) and community events. Contact contact@withingtoncivicsociety.org.uk.

• Driving Volunteers (Withington Assist): Drivers needed to give older people lifts to weekly groups. Petrol expenses are covered. Call 0161 434 9216.

• Manchester Post: Volunteers needed to deliver 10 to 600 papers to their local streets. Email manchesterpost@communitynewsgm.co.uk.

• The Christie Hospital: Opportunities to help shape future cancer care. Email the-christie.ppi@nhs.net.

Cost of Living Advice Line
Free telephone support for anyone struggling with food, energy bills, or finances. Services include:

• Benefits and help with rent

• Advice about debt and paying bills

• Food support – find local community food provision

• Help to get online – access to the internet, laptops, phones, and data

• Information on nearest Warm Hubs

Tel: 0800 023 2692
Open Monday to Friday, 9am – 4:30pm
Translations and Sign Video services available upon request

Hardship Helpline
Free phone service delivered with Citizens Advice to access benefits, grants, or energy efficiency support.

Tel: 0808 208 2138
Open Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm (except public holidays)

Reach Out to the Community
Support for anyone concerned about someone sleeping rough in South Manchester. Works with local rough sleepers until they can live off the streets.

Website: www.reachouttothecommunity.co.uk

Energy Advice & More
Citizens Advice Manchester in partnership with Cadent Gas offers free, confidential, and impartial advice. Services include:

• Increasing household income

• Managing energy debts

• Saving money on bills

• Making homes safe and efficient

• Accessing the Priority Services Register

Tel: 0808 164 4406
WhatsApp: 07360 546 111
Hours: Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm

Saving with South Manchester Credit Union

Are you interested in saving with South Manchester Credit union?

‘Pay It Forward’ at The Ice Shack

The Ice Shack has a ‘Pay it Forward’ scheme where customers kindly donate the cost of a hot drink/sweet treat/light meal and other people can come into the cafe, select which item they want from the ‘Pay it Forward’ board and benefit from other peoples generosity for free. If you’re having a tough week and your money just isn’t stretching as far as it needs to, pop in and grab something without having to worry about the cost.

Withington Baths
30 Burton Road, M20 3EB
Tel: 0161 478 1181

Silver Circuits

• Mondays: 1pm – 1:45pm

• Tuesdays: 3:15pm – 4pm

• Wednesdays: 1:15pm – 2pm

• Thursdays: 1pm – 1:45pm

Tai Chi

• Mondays: 2:15pm – 3pm

• Thursdays: 2:30pm – 3:15pm

Table Tennis

• Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays: 10am – 12pm

Chair Based Yoga
Free chair-based yoga lessons for people aged 50+.

• Third Friday of the month: 2pm

• Location: Withington Library

Carers Manchester – Contact Point
The Contact Point acts as a first point of contact for support for unpaid carers in the Manchester City Council area who require advice and support.

• Tel: 0161 543 8000

• Hours: 10am – 4pm, Monday – Friday (except bank holidays)

Carers Manchester South (CMS)
CMS works to identify unpaid carers and improve services in the community. They run regular free events for carers, including bowling and visits to RHS Bridgewater. The team also carries out outreach to identify new carers and raise awareness among professionals on how to best signpost carers.

• Email: cmsouth@manchestercarersforum.org.uk

Free Short Hotel Breaks For Unpaid Carers

Carers Manchester Central (CMC) is delighted to offer carers a free overnight hotel stay, including breakfast, across the UK. If you are a Manchester resident, this offer is completely free. For those outside of Manchester, there is a £33 admin charge.